Radiofrequency ablation for cancer is a minimally invasive procedure that uses electrical energy and heat to destroy cancer cells.

During radiofrequency ablation for cancer, imaging tests are used to guide a thin needle through the skin or through an incision and into the cancer tissue. High-frequency energy passes through the needle and causes the surrounding tissue to heat up, killing the nearby cells.

Radiofrequency ablation is sometimes used to treat cancers in the:

Bone

Kidney

Liver

Lung

Prostate

Radiofrequency ablation for cancer is typically an option when surgery isn't possible, such as if you have other health problems that make surgery risky or if you have several small tumors in an organ.

Radiofrequency ablation may also be an option for treating precancerous cells in the esophagus that are associated with Barrett's esophagus. Radiofrequency ablation is one of several types of ablation therapy used to treat a wide range of conditions.

Access to the latest. Mayo Clinic radiologists are studying new ways of using radiofrequency ablation to treat cancer. People who seek care at Mayo Clinic may choose to participate in studies of radiofrequency ablation.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people. In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 800-446-2279 (toll-free) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.

At Mayo Clinic, specialists in radiology form a multidisciplinary team with experts in surgery, oncology and radiation oncology to care for people considering radiofrequency ablation for cancer. Other experts are included as needed.

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 507-538-3270 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.

Mayo Clinic radiologists are studying ways to improve and expand the use of radiofrequency ablation for cancer. Learn more about radiology research.

Cancer research is conducted in coordination with the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center receives funding from the National Cancer Institute and is designated as a comprehensive cancer center — recognition for an institution's scientific excellence and multidisciplinary resources focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

See a list of publications by Mayo Clinic authors on radiofrequency ablation for cancer on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.

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